Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Psalms 51:10-11
Have you ever felt like you've out sinned God's forgiveness? I know I have, but when we read Psalm 51, we realize God wants to forgive us, as He did David, but sin has consequences, as David found out. His consequence was especially since God had blessed him so amazingly, but He still forgave David. God was so unhappy with David that He had a prophet, Nathan, confront David! Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 2 Samuel 12:7
Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? 2 Samuel 12:9
David then repented with his whole being and he was forgiven. Let's read this Psalm with and understanding that God wants our whole hearts and when we sin, we repent. As Charles Spurgeon writes, "Although we may have been preserved by Divine Grace from any gross and open sin, yet let us read this Psalm in the spirit of penitence. I always feel afraid of myself if I cannot read this Psalm from my heart. Surely some pride must have entrusted my spirit and taken away its humility and its tenderness, if I cannot join in David’s penitential prayer. I think that all of us who have the Spirit of God within us will feel that these words are suited to us as well as to poor brokenhearted David."
Join me in reading Psalm 51 and be encouraged!
